Card retainer attachment for cases



July 11, 1944. s. H. WINSTON 2,353,328

CARD RETAINER ATTACHMENT FOR CASES Filed Jan.' 5, 1943 j E INVENTOR SYDNEY H. WINSTON ATTORNEY Patente-d July 11, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARD RETAINERl ATTACHMENT FOR clAsEs l 9 Claims.

This invention relates to name card attachments in association with cases for individual use, and more particularly although not exclusively to retainers for the lids of spectacle cases and the like adapted to contain therein visible inscription-bearing cards.

It is one of the important objects of this invention to provide name-plate retainer means adapted for ready association with the lids of cases of the type used as spectacle holders, compacts and similar articles, whereby cards having predetermined lettering, inscriptions, symbols or other subject matter thereon will be visible on both sides of the lid.

And in the above-mentioned aspect of my invention it is a further object to enable plates bearing the initials of a purchaser to be readily inserted within the retainer so that they may appear to be an integral or pre-fabricated part of the outer surface of the lid, it being within the contemplation of my invention to enable such cases to be sold as a personalized article.

In the sale of various articles in the nature or spectacle cases and other forms of containers having lids associated therewith, the seller frequently iinds it advisable to impress upon the rear surface of the lid a trade-mark or attach a name plate identifying the seller. It has been found that such marks, if applied directly upon the rear surface of the lid, either wear off during the normal use of the device, or become so -mutilated as to be rendered illegible. It is hence another object of my invention to enable an identifying name plate or card to be inserted within the aforesaid retainer on the inside of the lid and in such manner as to be shielded by transparent holding means associated with the retainer. In this manner, according to another object of my invention, the single retainer is adapted to simultaneously house two sets of cards or name plates, visible from opposite sides of the lid.

It is within the further contemplation of my invention to enable the aforesaid retainer and associated parts to be readily assembled and attached with a minimum of effort.

And still a further object of this invention is to provide a device capable of performing the various functions aforesaid and which is nevertheless simple in construction and relatively easy to fabricate.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawing and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front view of a closed spectacle case showing my invention in association with the lid of the case.

Figure 2 is a View of the device of Figure l With the lid Open.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section of Figure 2 taken along line 3--3.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the apertured portion of the lid associated with my invention.

Figure 5 is a somewhat enlarged rear View of the card retainer illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a corner portion of the retainer of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a side view of Figure 6, showing a fragment of the wall of the lid in place.

Figure 8 is a section oi Figure '7 taken along line 8--8.

Figure 9 is a section taken substantially along line 9-9 of Figure 6 while the retainer of my invention is being inserted into place, illustrating that form of structure where the wall of the lid is temporarily distorted.

Figure 10 is a plan view of a modified form of rear window adapted for use with my invention, and

Figure ll isa fragmentary section, substantially like that of Figure 3, containing the window of Figure 10.

In the drawing, the spectacle case I5 comprises the container portion I6 and the cover or lid I'I, the latter having associated therewith the retainer member I8. Said member is made preferably of transparent material, such as a suitable plastic, and is adapted to extend through the aperture I9 in the wall 29 of the lid. The arrangement is such that the initial-bearing plates 2| are visible from the outside of the lid, whereas the identifying card or label 22 of the seller is visible on the inner surface of the lid, all in a manner to be more specically hereinafter set forth.

In the preferred form of my invention, the retainer member I8 contains a transparent front panel or window 23 adapted to overlap the peripheral edges 24 dening the said aperture i9 in the wall of the lid. Disposed inwardly from the edges of said panel 23 and extending downwardly therefrom are the lateral retainer walls 25, l2&5, 2, 28, preferably forming a rectangular enclosure or chamber 29, the height of said walls being such that they extend beyond the rear surface 36 of the wall 2) of the lid.

In the preferred form of my invention, the Yapertured portion I9 of the lid has four rounded corners 3l. The upper portion of the said walls, 25, 26, 2l, and 28 are undercut to form recesses 36 at the outer portions of the walls junctures 32, 33, 34 and 35, the recessed portions being rounded to accommodate the said rounded Corners 3l of the aperture. The depth of each of said recessed portion 36 is such as to conveniently contain the wall 20 of the lid.

The said walls 25, 26, 2l and 28 have their outer surfaces 3l sloping outwardly and upwardly towards the said front panel 23. The amount of slope is such as to enable the retainer to be operatively attached to the wall 2U by slidably forcing said sloping walls 25, 26, 21 and 28 into the aperture |9 and against the edges 24 thereof until the retainer snaps into place, which occurs when the rounded corners 3| of the apertured portion of the lid enter the said recessed portions 36. This method of assembly can readily be effected either if the wall of the lid is sufiiciently thin and of resilient properties to enable it to be temporarily distorted while the retainer member is beingpressed into place, or if the walls 25, 26, 21 and 28 are of such properties that they will yield under pressure. The assembly can also be effected by softening the plastic by heat, and then pressing it into place in the manner above set forth.

It will be noted that when the retainer is operatively assembled within the aperture of the lid, the said rounded corners 3| serve as shelves to maintain the retainer in place, the shelves being flanked at the top by the front panel 23, and at the bottom by the lips 38 below the recessed portions 36. The retention is thus accomplished in a simple manner, and by employing easily fabricated and simple parts.

In the preferred form illustrated, the oppositeyly disposed walls and 26 of the retainer I8 contain inwardly disposed extensions 39 and 4U, said extensions, in the preferred form shown, having their surfaces 4| inclined for purposes to be hereinafter set forth. The letter-carrying plates 2| are proportioned for insertion in the retainer member I8 so that they will be snugly contained between the walls 25, 26, 21 and 28, the

face of each of said plates being disposed against the inner surface of the transparent panel 23 serving as a front window.

The inscription-bearing card 22 is, as aforesaid, also adapted for insertion between said walls 25, 2E, 21 and 28, but with the front face thereof disposed rearwardly and facing the inside of the container I6. A ilexible transparent backing or rear window 42 is adapted for insertion between the said four walls 25, 26, 21 and 28 of the retainer; and when said backing is properly and finally in place, it is disposed between the extensions 39 and 4i] and the said card 22. It is preferred that the parts be so proportioned and of such thickness that when the said backing 42 is in place it will serve to firmly hold the said card 22 and letter-carrying plates 2| against the front window.

Before dispensing this device to a customer, the retainer member I8 is rst inserted in place in the manner above described. Thereafter properly selected letter-carrying plates 2| are placed within the retainer against the inner surface of front window 23, so that if the initials of the customer are selected, they would be visible through said front window. The card 22, containing the sellers name and address or other inscription, is then assembled into place as above indicated, and the rear window 42 is thereupon slipped into place. The said rear window, being flexible, will readily ride over the sloping walls 4| ofthe extensions 39 and 40 and then snap into place to hold the cards and plates in proper assembled relation; or the said rear window can be bowed and inserted in place in front of said extensions 39 and 4B when released into its original flat shape.

The entire case, including the lid and retainer member, appear as a fully assembled unit, the appearance of the initials through the front window giving the impression of a personalized case made expressly for the customer. The inner side of the lid reveals the name of the seller, the name being contained on a card fully protected by the transparent rear window 42.

It is apparent that the seller can readily assemble any number of such personalized cases for each of his customers with very little trouble and expense.

It is to be observed that although the preferred form illustrated shows a separate card 22 adjacent the flexible backing 42, which as aforesaid, serves as a window through which the inscription on the card is visible, it is nevertheless also Within the contemplation of this invention to employ a flexible backing upon the inner surface of which the sellers inscription is applied. That is, either a card similar to card 22, or a printed impression, can be applied to the rear surface of the flexible backing 42 s0 as to constitute a single unitary exible member with the inscription visible therethrough, instead of employing a separate card 22 and a separate transparent member 42.

In the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figures l0 and 11, the rear window 42a contains four extensions 43 at the corners thereof, these extensions being adapted for insertion within the recesses 44 contained in the walls of the retainer analogous to walls 25 and 26. This merely illustrates another way in which the rear Window can be assembled in place to hold the plates 2| and card 22 in proper assembled relation.

It is understood that the embodiments above described and shown in the drawing are illustrative of my invention and not employed by Way of limitation, inasmuch as numerous changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with the lid of a case of the class described, a retainer member comprising a transparent front panel, walled means extending rearwardly from the panel to form a laterally enclosed chamber, a transparent rear backing member supported by said walled means and in spaced relation to said front panel, inscription-bearing cards in said chamber between saidpanel and backing member and visible therethrough, said walled means containing undercut portions at the outer surfaces thereof, said lid containing an aperture therein, the walled means of said retainer extending through the aperture with said undercut portions in supporting engagement with the lid in the region of the aperture.

2. In combination with the lid of a case of the class described, a retainer member comprising a transparent front panel, a plurality of retainer walls extending rearwardly from the panel with the outer surfaces of the walls sloping rearwardly and inwardly, a transparent rear backing member supported by said walls and in spaced relation to said front panel, a plurality of inscriptionbearing cards between said panel and backing member and visible therethrough, said lid containing an aperture therein through which said retainer walls extend, the walls dening the aperture being adapted for slidable engagement with said sloping surfaces of the retainer walls, certain of said walls being yieldable to permit a yieldable frictional engagement between the said vretainer walls and said walls of the aperture, and supporting means associated with said retainer and aperture walls for holding them in engagement in the region of the panel.

3. In combination with the lid of a case of the class described, a retainer member comprising a transparent front panel, a plurality of retainer walls extending rearwardly from the panel with the outer surfaces of the Walls sloping rearwardly and inwardly, a transparent rear backing member supported by said walls and in spaced relation to said front panel, a plurality of inscription-bearing cards between said panel and backing member and Visible therethrough, said lid containing an aperture therein through which said retainer walls extend, the walls defining the aperture being adapted for slidable engagement with said sloping surfaces oi the retainer walls, certain of said walls being yieldabie to permit a yieldable frictional engagement between the said retainer walls and said walls of the aperture, undercut portions in the outer surfaces of the retainer walls immediately adjacent said panel and in supporting engagement with portions oi said aperture walls.

4. In combination with the lid of a case of the class described, a retainer member comprising a transparent front panel, a plurality of retainer walls extending rearwardly from the panel with lateral portions of adjacent walls joined to form a plurality of corners, recessed portions in said corners immediately adjacent the underside of the panel whereby a plurality of lips are formed in spaced relation to the panel, said lid containing an aperture therein through which said retainer walls extend, portions of the lid in the region of the aperture extending within said recessed portions between the panel and said lips for supporting the retainer in place, a transparent rear backing member supported by said retainer walls and in spaced relation to the panel, and a plurality of inscription-bearing cards between said panel and backing member and Visible therethrough.

5. In combination with the lid of a case of the class described, a retainer member comprising a transparent front panel, a substantially rectangular arrangement of retainer walls extending rearwardly from the panel and forming a laterally enclosed chamber, the four corners of said walls containing rounded recessed portions adjacent the underside of the panel whereby a plurality of lips are formed in spaced relation to the panel, said lid containing a substantially rectangular aperture therein with rounded corners substantially conforming with said rounded recessed portions of the retainer walls, the said retainer walls extending through the aperture with the rounded corners thereof extending within said recessed portions between the panel and said lips for supporting the retainer in place, a transparent rear backing member supported by said retainer walls and in spaced relation to the panel, and a plurality of inscription-bearing cards in said chamber and between said panel and backing member and Visible therethrough.

6. In combination with the lid of a case of the class described, a retainer member comprising a transparent front panel, a substantially rectangular arrangement of retainer walls extending rearwardly from the panel and forming a laterally enclosed chamber, the outer surfaces of the walls being inclined inwardly and rearwardly, the four corners of said walls containing recessed portions adjacent the underside of the panel whereby a plurality of lips are formed in spaced relation to the panel, said lid containing a substantially rectangular aperture therein through which said retainer walls extend, portions of the lid in the region of the aperture extending within said recessed portions between the panel and said lips for supporting the retainer in place, the walls defining the aperture being adapted for slidable engagement with the inclined surfaces of the retainer walls, certain of said walls being yieldablc to permit a yieldable frictional engagement between the said retainer walls and the walls of said aperture, a transparent rear backing member supported by said retainer 'walls and in spaced relation to the panel, and a plurality of inscription-bearing cards in said chamber and between said panel and backing member and Visible therethrough.

7. In combination with the lid of a case of the class described, a retainer member comprising a transparent front panel, a substantially rectangular arrangement of retainer walls extending rearwardly from the panel and forming a laterally enclosed chamber, the four corners of said walls containing recessed portions adjacent the underside of the panel whereby a plurality of lips are formed in spaced relation to the panel, said lid containing an aperture therein through which said retainer walls extend, portions of the lid in the region of the aperture extending within said recessed portions between the panel and said lips for supporting the retainer in place, a plurality of extensions extending inwardly from certain of said walls into said chamber, a transparent rear backing member supported by said extensions and in spaced relation to the panel, and a plurality of inscription-bearing cards between said panel and backing member and Visible therethrough.

8. In combination with the lid of a case of the class described, a retainer member comprising a transparent front panel, a substantially rectangular arrangement of retainer walls extending rearwardly from the panel and forming a laterally enclosed chamber, the four corners of said walls containing recessed portions adjacent the underside of the panel whereby a plurality of lips are formed in spaced relation to the panel,

- said lid containing an aperture therein through which said retainer walls extend, portions of the lid in the region of the aperture extending within said recessed portions between the panel and said lips for supporting the retainer in place, a plurality of recessed portions in certain of said retainer walls and communicating with said chamber, a transparent rear backing member disposed within said chamber and spaced from said panel, the backing member containing a plurality of extensions corresponding to said recessed portions and supportably engaged thereby, and a plurality of inscription-bearing cards between said panel and backing member and visible therethrough.

9. A retainer member of the class described comprising a transparent front panel, a substantially rectangular arrangement of retainer walls integral with the panel and extending rearwardly therefrom to form a laterally enclosed chamber, the walls being disposed inwardly from the edges of the panel to form a marginal ange, the walls being undercut adjacent the panel for receiving a suitable supporting wall, and a transparent rear window `detachably connected to said retainer walls and in spaced relation to the panel, whereby suitable inscription-bearing cards may be disposed within the chamber between the panel and Window and be visible therethrough.

SYDNEY H. WINSTON. 

